Random Encounter!

Today I was walking home from the store on a residential street when I crossed paths with an old man going from his house to a car. It happened to be an exceptionally warm and sunny day here in Vancouver, so being the weirdly friendly person I said a polite ‘hello’. The man then proceeded to ask how my day was going, and I kindly replied ‘very well’. Since I was not in any particular rush, I figured I’d ask him the same question, ‘how are you’, but he asked if ‘I really want to know’. I now wondered if this random encounter had gone too far, but I decided what the heck, and I said ‘yes, I did want to know’. He told me his day had been going great and he’d been thoroughly enjoying the weather. He then said he had something for me and pulled out his wallet. At first I thought he was giving me a business card (but he seemed a bit old to have a business)…then I thought maybe it was a pamphlet for some religion, but when I looked at it, I saw there was a poem written on the paper. Still skeptical, I was now convinced I’d gotten myself into one of the awkward conversations that often happen at the front door when people go door to door trying to sell their religion (or whatever it is those people do). However, when I actually read the poem I realized it wasn’t religious at all, but simply a cute little harmless poem. The old man told me that he read this poem as a young man, and then couldn’t find it again until 1990 when he decided to make copies and always carry it with him (he seemed super excited to tell me about the moment he found the poem for the second time). He went on to tell me that he was 90 years old and completely healthy, but that he believes it’s because of what’s going on ‘up here’ (while pointing to his head). I asked if I could keep the poem (he was delighted), and wished him a good day and we both went on with our lives.

Why Worry?

There are only two things to worry about – 

Either you are well, or you are sick.

If you are well, then there is nothing to worry about.

But if you are sick, there are two things to worry about–

Either you will get well, or you will die.

If you get well, then there is nothing to worry about.

But if you die, there are only two things to worry about.

Either you go to heaven or to hell.

If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about.

If you go to hell, you’ll be so darn busy shaking hands with old friends,

You won’t have time to worry.

I looked up this poem online and all I could find was that it is ‘Irish Philosophy’. I really didn’t want to put anymore poems on this blog, but I thought the story was so random and also so fitting (with me stressing way too much about school and life right now), that I couldn’t resist!

Nationals 2011

Elite Women's Keirin Startline

So, earlier this week I returned from my second Canadian nationals (in the sport of cycling…been to a few in some other sports…). I guess to sum it up…it went well…but had wanted it to go even better. I achieved two silver medals, one in the keirin and one in the team sprint and was just off the podium in 4th in the individual sprint. The keirin finish specifically meant a lot to me. Although it is actually the same result I got two years ago, coming second to the same girl, I felt this one was harder fought. First, I felt there were a lot of fast competitive girls in the race, and I had to be super aware and alert to come out in the top. It was also an important race for me, because I had been disappointed with my results in the sprint and 500m, so it provided me with a bit of redemption and renewed my belief that ‘I can do it’. Finally, it really made me feel like ‘I’m back’ after being sidelined with injury for two national championships (2009 & 2010).

This national championships also showed me where and how much I have to improve moving forward. And that brings you to where I am now…deciding how exactly I move forward…and in what direction.

Family Support!

More posts to come…

Updates coming….

It’s been way too long since I last posted anything on here, but I have decided it’s time to get the blog up and running again. Watch for a new post in the next day or two covering the national championships and an abbreviated story of my progress since I moved to Vancouver (and since I was finally cleared to do exercise just this past September after a year and a half of ZERO activity….wow I feel like I’ve come a long way!).

Lisa

Vancouver Life

So, perhaps it’s about time to write a new post. The lapse in writing can be seen as a good thing, as I have been super busy lately! I successfully completed ‘the big move’ to BC, and am starting to call Vancouver home:) My house is great, and somehow I managed to find a place right near the beach, so I’m enjoying seeing the beachfront every morning on my way to school (not such a bad way to start the day!).

I’m into my 5th week as a masters student, and so far I’m loving it. I may or may not be procrastinating writing a paper, but at least I can confidently say I am thoroughly enjoying what I am learning and the readings for the class are fascinating. (Just incase anyone is a bit behind here, or still thinking I’m doing an MBA and wondering what the heck i’m finding so interesting…I have done a bit of a shift as I am doing a masters degree in Human Kinetics specializing in Sport Psychology.)

Unfortunately, as great as school is, training has gone a bit backwards. The past two weeks I’ve been dealing with some significant headaches, that are only now starting to subside a bit. I’m hoping to get back on the bike again shortly, but it’s kinda touch and go each day at this point. On a side note, I’ve taken up a new hobby…cooking. I love going out for dinner, but since I realized pretty quickly the bank account doesn’t like it all so much, I’ve been forced to face the reality…if I want good food…I’ve gotta cook it!! Soo, I’ve gone from never cooking more than a few days in my life, to cooking all sorts of wonderful foods. Pasta salads, stir-fry’s galore, potato salad, and even my own pasta sauces. Okay, all pretty easy things, but for me these are huge accomplishments:)

So, I’m now T-2 weeks from reading week….aka Olympics…aka trip to LA. Ya, I’m leaving the host city to go to LA for two weeks, but I’m coming back here for the last few days of the Olympics so I’ve decided that’s okay. I tried getting tickets and couldn’t…and decided maybe a break and some sunshine will be good for me.

Happy New Year!!!!

Hope everyone had a great night, and all the best in the new year!!!

Velodrome Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday I rode on the velodrome for the first time in over 6 months!!! It felt AMAZING…and apparently I looked like ‘a kid in a candy store’. I had so much fun, and definately was reminded about why I love the sport so much!! Nothing crazy in terms of workout, but kinda funny because I was a little concerned at the start about sliding off, so I decided just to gun it the entire time I was up there…so I had tired legs and lungs pretty quickly:)

Today I went back to the velodrome, and after a few laps on the track on my own, other people came up to create a pace-line, which then turned into a sprint from the back and join the front of the group of riders on the other side of the track. I did the drill and felt great, and it was much less stressful being on the track with other people when it just sort of ‘happened’. I can’t wait to start regular training when I get out west. My head has been feeling quite good, and my neck pains are still around, but very managable.

The holidays have been great…time to catch up with friends, and I love how happy and friendly everyone seems this time of year:) One more week in the cold arctic, I mean Ontario, then Vancouver time!!

Oh ya…and I got an exciting new toy…the iphone!!! I’m obsessed with the phone and the apps, and having internet wherever! Technology never ceases to amaze me:)

YVR->YYZ

Well, I’m back in Ontario and there is officially snow on the ground (although I hear Vancouver is not snow-free either). I was supposed to get home just before midnight on Thursday, but because of the lovely season we call winter, I was 1.5h delayed, and finally got back to Ontario closer to 1am.

Health wise, things are looking up for me. I’m feeling much better and have gone to the gym a few times for some light exercise, which left me feeling as good when I left as when I arrived! (A significant achievement for me.)

So, a little more detailed recap of my trip to BC…it was AMAZING. I’m constantly shocked by the friendliness of the people there. I still can’t decide whether it was a fluke, or people are really that nice…but I constantly had people that I did and did not know going out of their way to be nice.

On my second day there, I went and visited my supervisor at UBC. He seemed very nice and just like everyone else in Vancouver, very helpful and friendly. He introduced me to his other students. His students then invited me out for dinner the next night. When I met them at the restaurant, not only was there the two students of my supervisor, but they also brought along four more graduate students from the program. It was a lot of fun to meet everyone, and it was also neat to hear all the accents around me (The two other grad students of my supervisor are all british, and a girl in the same department that was out for dinner is from NZ).

It’s also been fun seeing my rowing friends again. On Tuesday nights, a bunch of us girls all gather at one person’s house, for 90210, Melrose Place, whatever gossip needs discussing and some yummy treats. It’s so cute, and something I do think I was lacking in London.

Finally, the house I found is SWEET. Near the beach, huge, and with cool roommies. I’ll be sharing a house with two others, a guy and a girl. We’re all new to each other, and all seem pretty happy about the situation. Hopefully it works out well:)

Also, I want to send out a congrats to the Canadian team at the Cali world cup…sounds like everyone did super well! Looks like Canada is starting to really create a grounded and well supported track cycling program. I can’t wait to be back up to that level!

Quick update from BC

Sorry for the long delay in posting. I’m in BC with limited internet access. Just a short update…things are going great! I’ve been in BC doing some intense house hunting. I finally found a house sharing with two other people which seems pretty cool…right by the beach:)

I’ll write more later…back to Ontairo on the 10th, then heading back out here in the new year!!

Oh ya, my head has not hurt for a week…I’m really excited to start training again! I’ve even done a few runs (yes, mostly not by choice, but to catch busses or get to an appointment)…but still good testers for my head. My longest run so far was 15 minutes…with NO PAIN afterwards! (Other than some sore legs…mayyyyybe!)

I will try to upload photos and write a bit more sometime soon. Housing in Vancouver was crazy, and finding a place was quite stressful (as I’m sure anyone around me can attest)…so I’m more than a little relieved to have it done!

That’s all for now!

Back on the Horse!!

FINALLY I have something positive to write about!! My 15 minute bike ride last week went well, and I even did another one yesterday which also felt just fine. I must still remember that these are at a nauseatingly low intensity, but still very happy to see progress!! I also am officially racing for Local Ride in the 2010 season. I’m super excited about this and they sound like a great group. Very supportive and understanding, but still competitive. I feel so happy to finally have a team to ride with! I kinda feel like I’m back to the old days (when I was a rower), where each summer, I would first find a good team to row with, a job to sustain me…then move, wherever that was. I always had fun doing that, and the team was a great support when trying to figure out the ropes in a new place. I begin my new adventure tomorrow. Flying out bright and early, and then beginning the daunting (but exciting) Vancouver house hunt. Never moved to such a big city with so many different housing areas and options!!

I couldn’t sleep last night, because I was so excited dreaming about getting back on the bike and racing. Weird? Yes. Crazy? Probably. Do I care? Not at all:)

The Ups and Downs

Ever since I can remember I’ve been an athlete. Although I was a kid that didn’t actually do sports until about sixth grade, I really have very little memory of my day-to-day life before that. I know many people who are non-athletes, think I’m nuts when I say I really truly miss the training. I love the daily grind of trying to fit in normal life while training AT LEAST a few hours a day. I miss the feeling of being completely and utterly exhausted at the end of a jam-packed day.

After almost six months of borderline inactivity, I’m amazed, and I guess in a weird way happy, that I still haven’t adjusted to sedentary life. Everyday I wonder when I can start training again, and convince myself that this condition can’t last much longer. I guess it’s good to know I still have the desire and drive to do it. So, I’ve decided, despite the doctors orders to stay off the bike (she thinks I’ll push myself too hard too soon), I’m going to try to do the one thing I miss the most. Over six months of trial and error I have learned the hard way there’s no point in pushing myself. So tomorrow, 15 minutes at max 130 HR. (Yes, pretty much the same intensity as a moderate walk.) Pathetic and not even worth the drive to the gym for most, but completely exciting and invigorating for me.

So, I’ve been pondering the past few days at the point of this blog. I get the idea of having a blog to talk about training and racing, but to talk about injuries and 15 minute bike rides…is a bit different. I guess this whole injury has been one big long process, and I hope in a month or two I can be writing about REAL workouts and upcoming races. Maybe it’s good sometimes to know a bit about the trials and tribulations, rather than just the glitz and glory of results and success. The biggest thing I’ve learned about this injury, is it’s one that’s incredibly hard to understand. Not only for myself, but undoubtedly for everyone around me. I was speaking last week to national team athlete I met who had been out for 6 months due to a concussion (and is now fully recovered and back training with the national team). The first words to come out of her mouth were describing how hard of an injury it was to deal with. When someone is injured, you expect to see a cast, crutches, cuts and/or scars. But with long-term concussions, all of the external reminders are long gone and the only thing really telling you there’s still something wrong comes from within. Sometimes I wonder what I would think if I saw somebody else going through this…and the truth is I’m not even sure if I would be able to understand.